Ergonomic assessment method for cockpit layout of civil aircraft X based on virtual design

Ergonomic assessment for cockpit layout of civil aircraft (EACLCA) is very important, because awkward posture caused by illogical layout bring pilot discomfort, fatigue and misplay, which would violate aviation security and be harmful to pilot. Traditional EACLCA is field evaluation by test pilots or ergonomic experts after prototype was produced, if problems were found, modification would cost more. With the development of computer technology, EACLCA could be carried through ahead of time in virtual design phase using human model in virtual environment. Based on this, a new method for EACLCA was put forward in the paper, which supplied reference to cockpit ergonomic design, reduced the expense and developing cycle, and developed the design philosophy human-centered. Cockpit CATIA model of civil aircraft X was imported to JACK, an ergonomic simulation and analysis software, then the model was optimized. 1%, 5%, 50%, 95%, 99% Chinese pilot human model (CPHM) were built in JACK used to EACLCA, furthermore comfort assessment model (CFAM) of EACLCA according to pilot inquirement was built, then EACLCA was carried out through main parts of cockpit such as seat, main flight panel, glareshield, rudder pedals, stick, center console, top panel and so on. Eventually some problems violating of rules of ergonomics were found, and some advices for improvement were also put forward. The result was correctly proved by field test and the method was adopted by engineer to estimate the next generation cockpit.